News
Lankan producer makes casting call to Lankan talent in the UK
By Sujeeva Nivunhella
reporting from London
Actor and film producer Saman Alankara is set to embark on his next cinematic venture, choosing the picturesque landscapes of England as the backdrop for his upcoming film. Alankara, whose latest creation, “Madura Katu” (Pleasing Thorns), recently premiered in London, is reaching out to aspiring actors and actresses of Lankan descent living in England to join him in this exciting project.
In an exclusive interview, Alankara expressed enthusiasm for providing opportunities to Lankans living in England who possess untapped acting talents. “There are Lankans living here with the necessary talent but no opportunities (to appear on film),” remarked Alankara, underscoring his commitment to fostering talent within the community abroad.
Originally a landscaper, Alankara stumbled into the world of acting unexpectedly. Recalling his entry into the industry, he shared, “I was invited to act in ‘Adi Vegayen Awith’ by director Srilal Wickremage. It was a single-episode teledrama. I ended up playing the main role as well as serving as the producer.”
Over the years, Alankara has demonstrated his acting skills in three teledramas, including “Hara Kotiya,” “Sillara Samanallu” and “Sudde,” along with five feature films “Aluth Palama,” “Jaya Sri Amathithuma,” “Nim Him”, “Hora Uncle”, and the recently premiered “Madura Katu.” Additionally, he has played roles in two stage plays, “Chaura Samagama” and “Api Dangakariyo,” with several of these productions being produced under his banner, Alankara Films.
Beyond the entertainment industry, Alankara is the owner of the landscaping and construction company “Salaru Associates.” He emphasized the company’s expertise in building walls with stones, a technique applied in numerous projects including hotels, zoological gardens, and private residences owned by distinguished Lankans.
Looking ahead, Alankara is gearing up to screen his film “Hora Uncle” upon his return to Sri Lanka, marking another milestone in his multifaceted career. As he ventures into shooting his upcoming film in England, the seasoned actor and producer are poised to provide a platform for Sri Lankan talent abroad, bridging the gap between aspirations and opportunities in the world of cinema.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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